Plainly put, a data backup is a copy or archive of the important information stored on your devices such as a computer, phone, or tablet, and it’s used to restore that original information in the event of a data loss.
Data losses can occur in many forms, from hard drive failures to ransomware attacks and even human error or physical theft. No matter the misfortune, a data backup could be the respite you’re looking for to restore the data stored on your devices. It’s typically stored in a secure, separate location from an original device, such as a cloud.
This way, whenever you have that crushing feeling that all your hard work and treasured memories are gone, you can rest assured that a data backup has your back.
Importance of Data Backup
The main reason for a data backup is to have a secure archive of your important information, whether that’s classified documents for your business or treasured photos of your family, so that you can restore your device quickly and seamlessly in the event of data loss.
- Still, 30 percent of people have never backed up their devices. This might not seem like a lot — until you put it in perspective with how often data is lost.
- 113 phones are lost or stolen every minute. (World Backup Day). It was estimated that ransomware attacked a business every 14 seconds in 2019. (Cybercrime Magazine)
- 1 in 10 computers are infected with viruses each month. (World Backup Day) Laptops are stolen every 53 seconds in the U.S. Over 70 million cell phones are lost each year. (Kensington)
- So, think of a data backup as the bedrock of your digital disaster recovery plan. By backing up your devices, you’re already one step ahead of any cyber threats that might result in data loss.
It’s worth noting, however, that data loss isn’t always the result of cyber threats. It can also be the case that your external hard drive or computer wears out and you lose your data. That’s just the nature of any piece of hardware, and backing up your data can help you restore it on a new device.